Jean-Yves Thibaudet loves fast cars, Erik Satie, Duke Ellington and anything else pertinent to the life of a well-rounded pianist. A favorite on the international music scene since he made his debut nearly 40 years ago at the age of 7, M. Thibaudet is one of France’s national treasures, and this week he comes to the Hollywood Bowl to perform Liszt’s knuckle-busting Piano Concerto No. 2. In the hands of a less interesting pianist, Liszt can come off as flashy or ponderous, or both, but Thibaudet has that distinctly French touch — sparkly, passionate, delicate, all at the same time — that should make this one of those Bowl evenings to remember. Edo de Waart conducts the Los Angeles Philharmonic in a thoroughly romantic program that also includes Wagner’s Prelude to Act 1 of Die Meistersinger and Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2. Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hlywd.; Tues., Aug. 15, 8 p.m.; $6-$43. (323) 850-2000 or www.hollywoodbowl.com.

—Mary Beth Crain

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